An analytic velocity profile for pressure-driven flow of a Bingham fluid in a curved channel

We derive an expression for the velocity profile of a pressure-driven yield-stress fluid flow-ing around a two-dimensional concentric annulus. This result allows the prediction of the effects of channel curvature on the pressure gradient required to initiate flow for given yield stress, and for the width of the plug region and the flux through the channel at different curvatures. We use it to validate numerical simulations of the flow from a straight channel into a curved channel which show how the fluid first yields everywhere before reaching the predicted velocity profile.Comment: arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1909.0617

Functional modes of proteins are among the most robust ones

It is shown that a small subset of modes which are likely to be involved in protein functional motions of large amplitude can be determined by retaining the most robust normal modes obtained using different protein models. This result should prove helpful in the context of several applications proposed recently, like for solving difficult molecular replacement problems or for fitting atomic structures into low-resolution electron density maps. Moreover, it may also pave the way for the development of methods allowing to predict such motions accurately.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Beyond proximity: the covert role of mobile phones in maintaining power and coercive control in the domestic abuse of women

The World Health Organisation estimates that, globally, almost one-third of women who have been in a relationship have experienced physical or sexual violence from a romantic or sexual partner. At the same time, worldwide ownership of mobile phones is expected to reach the five billion mark in 2019. Establishing whether or not there are connections between the two is vital. Political and professional failure to keep abreast of developments in abusive relationship patterns related to new technologies could literally be a matter of life and death. This doctoral research, conducted in England, is particularly timely given that recent legislation in England and Wales now recognises a distinct feature of domestic abuse, namely coercive control, in the form of s76 of the Serious Crimes Act 2015. The Domestic Abuse Bill 2019 also intends to strengthen the definition of coercion. Underpinned by social constructionism and feminist epistemologies, this thesis aims to establish what (if any) role mobile phones play in the coercive control of women within the context of heterosexual intimate partner relationships. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with twelve women survivors of domestic abuse who were resident at refuges at the time of the interviews. Data were analysed using Grounded theory. Findings indicate that mobile phones are increasingly employed as a tool in the coercive control of women. Some of the ways perpetrators use mobile phone features are consonant with well-established feminist analysis of domestic abuse, such as the Duluth Power and Control Wheel. However, mobile phone functions such as texting, phone/video calling, and GPS tracking empower perpetrators to go beyond traditional mechanisms of control. Perpetrators are now able to have constant and ongoing contact with their partners irrespective of geographical proximity or distance. This thesis suggests that these opportunities to exert 24/7 surveillance extend and reinforce the power and control traditionally afforded to abusive men. Mobile phones endow perpetrators with a sense of omnipotence that leaves the partner believing that he is watching even when he is not. As a way of surviving within this context, women in abusive relationships become self-regulating, moderating their behaviour to conform to what they think the perpetrator wants, even when he is not there. This self-regulation is contrary to structural explanations of power traditionally used to explain domestic abuse and thus raises questions regarding the power dynamics within intimate abusive relationships. Whilst accepting the important role patriarchy plays in the domestic abuse of women, this thesis argues that structural accounts of power are insufficient to explain the power dynamics in abusive relationships given the new opportunities that mobile phone technologies afford to perpetrators. It proposes that, within this context, structural explanations of coercive control (Stark, 2007) need to be integrated with Foucault’s (1991) post-structuralist account of disciplinary power. The thesis suggests that mobile phones enable perpetrators to erect a framework of coercive control similar to that of Bentham’s (1791) Panopticon, where the domestic violence perpetrator is akin to the prison guard and the mobile phone the guard tower. Now, the prison is no longer limited to confined spaces and power and control can extend beyond physical boundaries. The thesis concludes by considering the significance of the findings for practice both within the Criminal Justice System and beyond. The material contained within mobile phones, e.g. frequency and nature of texting, Spyware apps etc., could be used to provide a context for the abuse, enabling professionals to identify coercive control sooner. This might then assist with arrest, prosecution and conviction rates as well as risk assessments and safety planning

Third sector and the shaping of services for Huntington’s disease in Scotland: organisations, boundary work and expertise

Social science research on third sector organisations in the last two decades has emphasised their growing presence and importance in healthcare. This has occurred alongside significant reorganisation of health systems in the UK, including a continued policy emphasis on partnership-working between the public sector and the third sector. However, unanswered questions in the literature remain with regard to the specific roles that these organisations fulfil within partnership arrangements. This thesis examines the role of third sector organisations within Scottish services for the chronic, neurodegenerative condition Huntington’s disease (HD). The closely connected nature of Scottish healthcare and the multitude of professionals involved in HD mean these services are an important, but currently understudied, example of professional interaction around complexity. A multi-methods qualitative research framework was used to gather perspectives of key individuals working in the Scottish HD and wider health scene. Making use of the key concepts of expertise and boundary work, this thesis argues that third sector organisations have an extensive shaping role in 1) the positioning of healthcare organisations, 2) the identities of healthcare professionals, and 3) the meanings around illness and the remit of support. The research findings revealed that organisations and professionals in HD partnership arrangements engaged in processes of boundary work in the negotiation of the roles of themselves and others. Third sector professionals occupied many positions within services, as both experts and supporters of patients. In the process they and other professionals often took on identities as ‘key, committed professionals’. Understanding around HD was also shaped by these professionals as the wider aspects of illness and its support were brought into focus. Building on these findings, it is argued that third sector professionals in coordination roles are well placed to develop a type of expertise that I term ‘aggregate know-how’ (Pols 2014), based around both their professional skills and their extensive contact with patient experiential knowledge. The research builds on and extends influential previous models of third sector ‘partnership’ in healthcare (Rabeharisoa 2003), emphasising the key role of third sector organisations in knowledge production. It also offers insights of both theoretical and practical use with regard to service delivery in healthcare, showing the potential for genuine third sector/public sector partnership around expertise when there is adequate cultural support and resources